A 27-year-old Porirua man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to evade police by fleeing in a boat, triggering a short maritime pursuit on Friday morning.
Police said officers went to the Mana Twin Bridges public boat ramp at about 8.30 am to arrest the man for breaching his bail conditions. However, the suspect allegedly jumped into a boat and sped away, prompting an immediate response from the Wellington Maritime Unit, 1News has reported.
The Police catamaran Lady Elizabeth IV, which was operating nearby, began searching for the vessel described as “red and old.” The boat was located about 20 minutes later off the Plimmerton coastline.
Maritime Unit supervisor Sergeant Richard Kennedy said the suspect failed to comply with police instructions when approached on the water.
"When he saw us, he did a 180 in his boat and headed off at a rate of knots," Kennedy said.
"He hit Porirua harbour at speed and headed toward the shore, with us in pursuit," as quoted by 1News.
Police coordinated efforts between maritime officers and units on land as the man steered back toward Paremata. The pursuit ended when officers discovered him hiding beneath a boat shed on the southern side of the Twin Bridges. He was taken back into custody roughly 15 minutes after the chase began, 1News has reported.
Kennedy noted that such incidents are uncommon.
"It’s extremely unusual for boats not to comply with directions; most boaties are great to deal with, and it’s very unusual for them to try to run from us," he said, as quoted by 1News.
The man has been charged with breaching bail and escaping custody. Police are also considering an additional charge of dangerous boating. He is expected to appear in Wellington District Court in the coming days, 1News has reported.
Fisheries officers are also making inquiries following an inspection of the vessel.